[tart_co]

hi all i've been to hk for a year now and now finally planning to move out from relatives...

can anybody tell me abit more bout renting...im thinking to make the move in july do i need to start looking now...

how long does it take the real estates to get things rolling and the keys to the place...

how many months bond do you give in advance etc

[lowlight]

Walk into any real estate agent's office, and you'll be looking at apartments in the area within 5 minutes. They'll make you sign a contract saying that if you rent one of the ones they showed you, it has to be from them. But don't let that prevent you from going to other agents; they'll show you different ones and you can rent from them. As long as they don't show the same ones, you're fine.

The big ones I think are Midland Realty and Centaline.

If you do a search, you'll find more info on deposits, etc. It's pretty expensive to get started.. IIRC, you need first month's rent, last month's rent, and 50% of the rent goes to the agent as a commission. The contracts are usually for 2 years, and after 13 months you can leave any time, with a 1 month notice. After 2 years, you can sign a new contract, although I'm not sure how deposits and agent commission is handled at that point

[tart_co]

yeah i kno it costs quite abit...thats why its taken me so long to finally save up to move out.

but yay now i can live on my own soon

[techNOBUde]

i do not have good experience with Midland Realty. i was looking for a cheaper appartment, perhaps that is the reason why they offer me bad appartment.s

in which area are you searching for? If you are going to live in j=hung hom area, I can recommend you two agents.

last year I was searching urgently for an appartment. for 6 months. The agent I got in contact with was local small agent buy very helpfull.
After i sign the contract I was able to move in the next day. I received the keys next day.

I got a 6 months conctract, desposit for 2 months (normally it should be three, but I did not have so much money), 50% commission to the agent.
Later on I got a contract for 2 months, and now I got contract for 9 months.

i guess if you go to a local agent, they are more flexible in their terms.

my appartment is ok, the rent includes also furniture.

[techNOBUde]

after I have signed the 2 month and later on the 9 months contract for the same apartment, there was no need to pay any fee to landlord or agent.

[tart_co]

im planning to find a place in the hk island...coz i work there i guess more convenient.

rent wise nothing over 7k a month and around 500 sqft i've been to smaller apartments(around 300) and they look really small... so at that price mayb in kennedy town. I have lots of requests mayb too much for the price im looking at so im just gonna take my time

[wtbhotia]

renting house is not that much of a pain, i have been doing it for nearly 10 years, its the beginning part thats the killer, You usually have to pay 2 months deposit and the first months rent directly to the owner as soon as you have agreed to the terms and signed the contract. if you are using an agency they will take comminision, this should be asked how much before anything is signed. most agency's take 50% of the rent as commision from both sides. the contract is for 24 months, the first 12 months you have to rent the house, after that you can give your owner min 1 month notice to leave or vice verser.

[snow601]

hi....if only one person living, any estimated fee on the living? like around how much electricity fee, gas fee......

i also want to move out due to family problem.....but no more money.....would like to find one small flat around HKD4000 in hk is ok....but it seems impossible right?

[wtbhotia]

Originally Posted by snow601

hi....if only one person living, any estimated fee on the living? like around how much electricity fee, gas fee......

i also want to move out due to family problem.....but no more money.....would like to find one small flat around HKD4000 in hk is ok....but it seems impossible right?

It just depends on where you want to live and how far you are willing to travel to work. for 4K in the older areas you will be able to rent a 1 bedroom 1 living room flat, should not be a problem on kowloon side. check out this website and do a search. http://www.gohome.com.hk/english/home.asp?

[tart_co]

it would be definately easier to live with someone...so you can share the rent.

most places i've seen that are 1 bedroom apartment are 4500 not including utilites(on the hk side)